Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Biology with Foundation Year

Why study this course with LJMU?

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
• Offers a range of optional modules such as Genes and Genomes, Developmental Biology, Immunology and Medical Microbiology and Neurobiology
• Opportunity for self-funded overseas field expedition – possible destination is Doñana National Park, Spain*
• Stepping stone to careers in diverse fields such as genetics, microbiology, embryology, clinical science, radiography and environmental sciences
• Option to choose between a year's work placement or a 135 hour work-based learning placement
• £6 million invested in state-of-the-art teaching facilities
• 95% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on this course were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
• 94% of students surveyed said academic support was good or very good (National Student Survey 2024)

About your course

The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Biology with Foundation Year programme at Liverpool John Moores University opens up the fascinating subject of biology, providing a core understanding of biological theory and practical skills.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Biology honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Biology

At LJMU, we recognise that biology encompasses a wide range of fascinating subject areas. That's why our first-year curriculum is designed to give you a broad foundation - allowing you to explore different fields and discover where your true interests lie. In the first year, you will typically cover core modules in Genetics and Evolution, Microbiology, Physiology, Ecology, Practical Skills for Biology and Fundamentals of Scientific Research.

In your second and third years, you have the flexibility to either maintain a broad-based approach, or tailor your degree by selecting from a wide range of optional modules across diverse biological topics. These include: Genes and Genomes, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Marine and Freshwater Biology, Neurobiology, Forensic Bioscience and Parasitology.

All students will partake in a core residential UK field trip in the first year* and will also have the opportunity to take part in an advanced field skills expedition during the final year optional module. The possible destination is the Doñana National Park, Spain, where you can learn ecological and behavioural field work skills.

You have the opportunity to undertake a short (4-6 week) work-based placement or a 12-month placement with a relevant organisation in the UK or abroad. This will not only give you a chance to put into practice what you have learnt in the first two years, it will also help you develop your personal skills and add real value to your CV. Many students who undertake placements have gone on to work for the same organisation after they graduate.

Course modules

Foundation Year

• Skills and Perspectives in Science 1 (20 credits)
• Wildlife Studies (20 credits)
• Skills and Perspectives in Science 2 (20 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
• Understanding the Environment (20 credits)
• Building Blocks of Life (20 credits)

Year 1

• Microbiology (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Scientific Research (20 credits)
• Practical Skills for Biology (20 credits)
• Genetics and Evolution (20 credits)
• Ecology (20 credits)
• Physiology (20 credits)

Year 2

• Research Skills and Employability (20 credits)
• Diversity and Evolution of Life (20 credits)
• Physiology of Life (20 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Immunology and medical microbiology (20 credits)
  • Ecology Field Skills (20 credits)
  • Genes and Genomes (20 credits)
  • Marine and Freshwater Biology (20 credits)
  • Developmental Biology (20 credits)
  • Sandwich Year - Biology (120 credits)
  • Study Year Abroad - Biology (120 credits)
  • Study Semester Abroad - Biology (60 credits)
  • Impact of Climate Change on Biological Processes (20 credits)

Year 3

• Research Project (40 credits)
• Health and Disease (20 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Clinical immunology and medical microbiology (20 credits)
  • Applications of Genetics in Health and Disease (20 credits)
  • Frontiers of Ecology (20 credits)
  • Advanced Field Skills Expedition (20 credits)
  • Neurobiology (20 credits)
  • Parasitology (20 credits)
  • Applied Marine Biology (20 credits)
  • Forensic Bioscience (20 credits)
  • Neuroendocrinology (20 credits)
  • Work-Based Learning (20 credits)

Professional accreditation

This programme has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology following an independent and rigorous assessment. Accredited degree programmes contain a solid academic foundation in biological knowledge and key skills, and prepare graduates to address the needs of employers.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching Support Assessment
• Excellent facilities and learning resources
• Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

Career paths

Completing this BSc Biology programme will open up a vast range of career opportunities.

Biology graduates have gone into employment in a wide range of roles, including clinical science, embryology, research and development laboratories, microbiological food and water safety or ecological roles. Our graduates work at a number of organisations including: the NHS (various roles including the Scientist Training Programme), Astra Zeneca, Unilever, UK Health Security Agency, Axion Veterinary Laboratories, Francis Crick Institute, MedImmune, Eurofins Forensics, Elucigene Diagnostics, The Christie Hospital; conservation organisations including Chester Zoo, Brecknock Wildlife Trust and Operation Wallacea; and environmental agencies, such as Natural England and Kingfisher Environmental Services. Some prefer to continue their studies with postgraduate study (PGCE/PGDE, MSc, MPhil, MRes or PhD) in topics as wide ranging as human nutrition, oncology, molecular medicine, tropical medicine and embryology, or others go into teaching and lecturing.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £9,535 per year
• International: £18,250 per year
• Placement year: £1,905 (Home), £3,830 (International)

Entry requirements

• GCSEs: Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/Numeracy
• A levels: DDD-CDD
• BTECs: Extended Diploma MMP
• Access awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• OCR Cambridge Technical: Extended Diploma MMP
• Irish awards: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
• T levels: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

How to apply

• UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses.
• Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here.